SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — The man accused of stabbing a social worker to death at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center in San Francisco on Dec. 4 was formally charged with murder Monday, the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office announced.
The suspect, 34-year-old Wilfredo Jose Tortolero Arriechi, is scheduled to be arraigned in Department 19 at the Hall of Justice Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.
“The District Attorney’s Office will move to have him detained pending trial without bail due to the public safety risk he poses,” the DA’s office said.
Arriechi was charged with one count of murder, with an allegation that he used a deadly weapon to commit the murder.
According to court documents, Arriechi entered the hospital with a concealed knife and asked to speak with a doctor.
“Arriechi appeared calm and engaged in a conversation with a social worker and was advised to leave,” the DA’s office said. “Allegedly he and the victim walked to the elevator together when he suddenly grabbed the victim from behind and stabbed him numerous times. Although lifesaving care was immediately provided to the victim, he died from his injuries.”
Investigators found a 5-inch kitchen knife at the scene, which they suspect is the murder weapon.
People gathered for a vigil at the hospital Sunday. An employee at the hospital told KRON4 that the homicide victim was 51-year-old Alberto Rangel.
On Monday, the San Francisco Department of Public Health announced that an independent, outside security firm would conduct a safety assessment at the hospital and across all DPH clinical locations.